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Demolition of steelworks paves way for Teeside business park
Redcar’s 365ft blast furnace in Teeside was demolished yesterday in a controlled explosion bringing a symbolic end to steelmaking in the area. The site has been cleared to make way for the Teesworks industrial zone. Redcar’s blast furnace was the second largest of its kind in Europe and has dominated the Teesside skyline ever since its construction in the late 1970s. At its height, the furnace produced 3.6 millions tonnes of iron a year.
A 250m exclusion zone was put in place for the levelling of the furnace and remained in place for at least 30 minutes afterwards. The casting houses, the dust catcher and the conveyors were also destroyed. The furnace has not operated since October 2015 when SSI UK, the company that was running it, went into liquidation.
Man, 84, studies GCSE physics after failing at school
An 84-year-old care home resident, who failed his physics exam five times at school, is hoping to fulfil his lifelong wish of completing his secondary education. Ernie Puffett, from Chichester, West Sussex, has returned to school after 66 years with the hope he can finally pass his GCSE physics exam next summer. Mr Puffett said: “I really think I can pass it this time with all the help I am getting and I would be elated if I did. I am amazed that youngsters today can take it all in because physics is such a vast subject.”
Mr Puffett attends his local school, Chichester College, where he takes weekly physics classes and has had his course fees waived. Helen Loftus, principal at Chichester College, said: “We’ve been absolutely delighted to welcome Ernie to the college. We often say there is no age limit on studying, and it has been fantastic to see that in action.”
Menopausal NHS staff allowed to work at home
Women suffering from symptoms of menopause who work in the NHS will be able to work from home if they need to under new guidance. Amanda Pritchard, head of the health service, said other employers should follow suit. “Menopause is not a health condition, it’s a stage of life, and I want all women facing this transition in the NHS to have access to the right support to stay in and thrive at work,” she said. The plans will mean women suffering from symptoms could be given lighter duties and have access to “flexible working patterns”.
Breakthrough for bowel cancer treatment
Scientists have revealed the inner workings of a key protein involved in bowel cancer, paving the way for new drugs to treat the disease. The tankyrase protein is involved in a wide range of processes in the cell, which means it could lead to better and less toxic cancer drugs. Scientists found how the protein switches itself on and off by self-assembling into 3D chain-like structures. Scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, believe their work will open the door to new types of cancer treatment that can control tankyrase more precisely than is currently possible, with fewer side effects.
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